A MAN who was found sleeping in the front room has been recused by firefighters from a house fire in Basildon.

Firefighters were called to Hermitage Drive, in Basildon at around 10pm last night.

A man was rescued by the crews from a smoke-filled house after the occupant put some food in the oven and fell asleep.

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The alarm was raised by neighbours who had heard a smoke alarm and saw smoke filling the house.

They called 999 but were unable to see if the occupant was home or not.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the house and found a man sleeping in the front room. They lead him outside to safety.

Fire crews found the smoke was coming from the kitchen. Some food had been left unattended in the oven.

Adam Barber, watch manager at Basildon Fire Station, said: “This is a great example of how working smoke alarms can alert neighbours and passersby to a fire in your home if you are unable to hear it yourself.

“We are urging Essex residents to make sure they have at least one working smoke alarm on every level of their homes, and to test them at least once a month.

“If it hadn't had been for the neighbours hearing the smoke alarm when they did, this could have had a very different ending.”